Breen then took on the opening round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship, and said he could continue in the series while he searches for a seat in the WRC.

“There’s a chance to do more this year [in Irish Tarmac Championship], or even to start the national championship or to do some other rallies across Europe,” said Breen, who misses this weekend’s Rally Sweden where he took his best WRC result of second last year.

“I’m fortunate in that I have the chance to do a few of these rallies and I’m going to make the most of it.”

Breen last competed in the ITRC in 2016 when he won the Circuit of Ireland for the second time.

His return in Galway had competition, with Subaru Impreza S12B WRC driver Garry Jennings and Alastair Fisher – nephew of the legendary Bertie Fisher – both leading early on in typically muddy and wet conditions on the west coast of Ireland.

But Fiesta R5 driver Breen soon established himself in the lead on stage five of nine, taking his first rally win since rekindling his relationship with ex-Kris Meeke co-driver Paul Nagle.